At the Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology, or PEAT, we are focused on how to improve the accessibility of workplace technologies. One way we do this is by looking at the Employment Lifecycle to understand how technology fits into each phase of an employee's time with a company.

The lifecycle begins with recruiting, moves to hiring and onboarding, then work immersion and productivity, and includes career advancement and then retention and finally post-employment and retirement. Today, technology touches all phases and aspects of employment. But in our research, we have also found that many - if not most - workplace technologies can't be fully used by people with disabilities.

Just consider the first phase: recruiting. Today over 90 percent of job applications are online and in the process, job seekers often use technology such as corporate websites, online job sites and applications, social media, pre-employment tests, digital interviewing tools and more.

During the next phase - hiring and onboarding - technology remains center stage. A new hire will typically need to use corporate intranets, onboarding and screening tools, training videos and online benefits administration.

Moving on to phases four and five, we have career advancement and retention. In addition to the tools we've already mentioned, these phases often feature: learning management system software, performance review applications, employee assistance program applications and return to work and stay at work programs. Finally, the post-employment and retirement stage involves technologies like benefits and retirement plan applications and access to past performance records.

So, what does this all mean? Well, for employers concerned about effective talent management, it's important to consider all these technologies. In other words, if these technologies cannot be accessed or used by job applicants, current employees or retirees, you have a problem. And PEAT is here to help. Come explore our website, peatworks.org, to learn how. We'll show you the nuts and bolts and help you ensure your workplace related technology is accessible across all stages of employment.

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PEAT is funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor. PEAT material does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.